NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike has reached day-18 and amid his deteriorating health, the Delhi High Court has demanded some strict answers from the central government and concerned authorities. The court on Wednesday sought urgent responses from the Central Government and the Delhi Government regarding the rapidly deteriorating health of prominent climate activist and educator.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for 18 days, demanding strict accountability for the widespread paper leaks during NEET examination and the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
High Court Flags “Urgent” Nature of the Protest, Sonam Wangchuk’s Condition
The judicial directive followed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini. The petition argues that Wangchuk’s fast is essentially a slow descent into an act of self-harm in full view of the nation, claiming that the government’s refusal to intervene amounts to abetment of suicide.
Calling the matter “urgent,” a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia ordered both governments to formally submit their stands by Thursday, July 16. The PIL explicitly seeks court orders directing the authorities to forcefully shift the 59-year-old activist to a government hospital and administer life-saving liquid nutrition via force-feeding.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday (July 16) after listing it as an ‘urgent’ issue.
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Sonam Wangchuk’s 9-kg Weight Loss Mounts Concerns
The legal intervention arrives as the on-ground medical situation at Jantar Mantar grows increasingly dire. Wangchuk is protesting in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-centric political movement that has been holding a sit-in against the NEET controversies for 26 days.
According to the latest health bulletin issued by the CJP medical team, Wangchuk is under 24-hour medical vigilance. Over the past 18 days, his weight has plummeted by 8.9 kg, bringing him down to a frail 57.15 kg. While his oxygen saturation remains stable at 97%, doctors have recorded his blood pressure at a concerning 105/76 and his blood sugar dangerously low at 80 mg/dL. Organizers report that the activist has started losing significant muscle mass and is experiencing immense physical pain, though he remains mentally alert and resolute.
Opposition Leaders and Celebrities Demand a Dialogue
The standoff has ignited massive political momentum. On Wednesday, senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his fast, urging the central government to shed its silence and engage in immediate dialogue. Tharoor emphasized that bringing the protesters to the negotiation table is a sign of statesmanship, not weakness.
Several Celebrities including Rajkummar Hirani who directed 3 Idiots, loosely inspired by activist’s life and Omi Vaidya, the actor infamously known for playing the protagonist ‘Chatur’ in the film are among thousands who have appealed for Wangchuk’s welfare.
The CJP’s demands extend beyond the Education Minister’s resignation. The organizers are seeking sweeping systemic reforms to India’s examination process and demanding ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the crushing fallout of the NEET paper leaks. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament fast approaching, the CJP has escalated the pressure by calling for a massive “Chalo Sansad” (March to Parliament) rally on July 20.
It is worth noting that Sonam Wangchuk has earlier lead protest for Climate Change and Ladakh’s statehood as well.